Easter Holiday Bugsy Club

Dates: Wednesday, 16th April & Thursday, 17th April
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (includes a 1-hour lunch break) 

We’re excited to announce our Easter Holiday Bugsy Club! This special two-day event is open to all students participating in the upcoming Bugsy Malone production. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into the script, music and choreography in a fun and collaborative setting.

We encourage as many students as possible to join us—this extended rehearsal time is a fantastic way to build confidence, enhance performance skills, and strengthen team spirit within the cast.

Details:

• Cost: £30 per place (covers both days) (sibling discount available) 

• Lunch: Please bring a packed lunch (nut-free)
  
  To secure your place, please complete the sign-up form. We can’t wait to see you there!

Bugsy Malone Rehearsals Begin as Dance School Celebrates 50th Anniversary!

Exciting news from Victoria Stansfield School of Dance, as rehearsals have officially begun for the school’s highly anticipated production of Bugsy Malone, which also marks an incredible milestone—the 50th anniversary of the school.

Our talented students kicked off rehearsals yesterday, and the excitement is already building as they prepare for the big performances on 27th and 28th June. Rehearsals will take place every Saturday leading up to the show, with the students working hard to make this landmark production truly spectacular.

“This year’s show is particularly special as we celebrate 50 years of nurturing young performers. Bugsy Malone is the perfect way to bring the whole school together for a production that showcases the talent and passion of our students.” - Victoria Stansfield

New Students Welcome!
To make this 50th-anniversary production the best it can be, we’re still welcoming newcomers to join the school. Whether they’re seasoned performers or trying the stage for the first time, this is a fantastic opportunity to shine.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to help students attend rehearsals consistently to ensure the production reaches its full potential.

If you know a young person who would love to take part, it’s not too late! Contact us today to join in this unforgettable celebration of talent, dedication and 50 years of dance.
https://www.victoriastansfielddance.com/get-in-touch

Alumni student makes West End Debut

After an incredibly competitive auditioning process, we are thrilled to announce that Victoria Stansfield School of Dance alumna Grace Hawksworth has been cast in the West End production of Moulin Rouge! Grace joins a remarkable cast as a swing from November 2024. Following her training at Urdang in London and past roles in pantomimes and on cruise ships, Moulin Rouge, The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre will mark Grace’s debut on the West End stage—a milestone we’re immensely proud to celebrate.

We’ll always remember Grace’s standout performance as Snow White at our school, as well as her Miss Dance 2019 title. Wishing Grace an incredible journey in Moulin Rouge—we can't wait to see her shine on stage.
+ Moulin Rouge: The Musical is now open

End of an Era: Celebrating 25 Years of Tap Triumphs as We Welcome a New Generation of Adult Tappers!

After an incredible 25 years, our current cohort of adult tappers—Claire, Donna, and Julie—will be completing their training this month by taking their intermediate tap examination. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish them all the best in their exam. It’s truly the end of an era for the school, as we’ve watched their dedication and progress over the years, and we hope they continue to enjoy their passion for tap dance.

We’re excited to keep the tradition going by continuing this class and are now welcoming new students at a beginners level. If you’re looking to try something new in 2025 or revisit an old passion, please get in touch!

+ New adult tap term begins January 2025
+ Thursday evening classes
+ £10 per session
+ Beginners level, no experience necessary - Join waiting list

Alumni Star Embarks on World Tour with Saga Cruises

Following her debut at the Alhambra Theatre Pantomime in 2023, alumna Hannah May Wilson embarked on an exciting new journey with Saga’s Spirit of Adventure cruises, performing across the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Setting sail in July 2024, Hannah’s incredible adventure is set to continue through January 2025. We can’t wait to hear all about her experiences on this thrilling voyage!

New class for ages 3+ starting in January 2024

From January 2024 the school will start a new Saturday morning class for early years children who are interested in performing, dancing and singing.
Tiny Dancers will be a fun 45 minute class which will explore ballet, tap and song at an introductory level.
Parents and carers are encouraged to leave their little ones in the class to develop their childs independence and skills, but will have an opportunity to see their hard work at the end of term during a small sharing.

+ Tiny Dancers start Saturday 13th January, 9:30-10:15am (weekly)
+ £7 per session, paid weekly
+ Sign up to join the class by getting in touch here

Student signs first professional contract with Alhambra Theatre

We are delighted to hear the news that one of our students has signed her first professional contract with the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. Congratulations to Hannah May Wilson who will join the star studded cast of Cinderella in this year’s Christmas Panto. Having joined the school as a very young girl, pictured here performing her first Song & Dance ‘Oh You Beautiful Doll’ we’re hugely proud to see Hannah’s career kick off in such a fabulous theatre. One which I hold close to my heart having done four Panto’s at the Alhambra, and getting engaged to Barry on that very stage in 1973! It will be hugely exciting for us all to go along and support Hannah. Best of luck with rehearsals and the run Hannah!

+ Cinderella will run at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford 9 Dec 2023 - 21 Jan 2024
> Find out more and book tickets here

Hannah May Wilson (Centre) pictured after qualifying through the first heat of Miss Dance

A very young Hannah performing her very first Song & Dance at the school

The school welcomes new committee members

We’re delighted to welcome some new students and subsequently committee members to the school this year. As a longstanding establishment within the community, we are hugely grateful to the parents and carers who invest their spare time into the future of our school. We’re a small but dedicated team, from fundraising, to hair, make up and travel commitments, every contribution does not go unnoticed. We look forward to celebrating our recent achievements with the new committee at our next presentation evening 22nd December and for the first time at Lowe Laithes Golf Club (Wakefield)

Rainbow Festival - Woodkirk Academy big win for the school

Brilliant performances at recent competitions winning multiple section awards

Wow so proud of the girls, it takes hard work dedication and guts to win these awards :- we have no Babies  and no A section.   B Runner Up Evie Leigh Nottingham,   C Section Trophy Iris Couch,  D Runner Up Isobel Dawson,   E Section Trophy Evie Hart,  E  Runner Up Isobel Hoggard, F Section Trophy Tilly France.These are the main trophys to win.  Amazing results.  A-C highest marks out of 5 Solos  Iris Couch,  D-F highest marks out of 5 solos Tilly France. Most Promising Junior Evie Leigh Nottingham. National Trophy Tilly France. Classical Duet Evie Leigh and Iris, Senior Duet No song Isobel D and Isobel H, Senior Duet with song Evie H and Tilly, Senior Trio Evie H, Darcey and Tilly.   Thank you to you mums for the grooming of the girls, and of course to Zoe for her time and talent with the girls hair. I must mention Miss Adelle and Miss Lucie for their clever choreography ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Many congratulations to Anayia Hoggard who has been busy performing in Joseph at the Opera House this week ⭐️.                 Lucky to have you all 🥰

- Victoria Stansfield